Apparatus for holding and ejecting a photographic cassette

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for receiving a cassette containing a pod of processing fluid for photographic material, for rupturing such pod and for expelling such fluid therefrom. Typically, the fluid filled pod is mounted within the cassette adjacent a support surface and initially protected by a removable cover plate. After removing the aforementioned cover plate to expose the pod, the cassette is inserted into the apparatus between a pair of resiliently compressible rollers mounted for rotation about parallel axes. One of these rollers exerts a force progressively across the pod during the insertion process whereby the pod is ruptured and the fluid expelled therefrom. The rollers are compressed by the cassette as the cassette passes therebetween and expand over an end of the cassette when the cassette has been fully inserted into the apparatus to exert a force against the cassette tending to lock it in position. Alternate embodiments of force applying devices are described for ejecting the cassette from the apparatus against the locking force of the rollers.

United States Patent [1 1 Downey 1 1 July 31, 1973 APPARATUS FOR HOLDING AND [73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge,

1 Mass.

22] Filed: Dec.30, 1970 [211 App]. No.: 102,936

1 Related us. Application Data [62] Division of se'i. No. 838,794, July 3, 1969, Pat. No.

Primary Examinen-FredL. Braun Att0rneyBrown & Mikulka [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for receiving a cassette containing a pod of processing fluid for photographic material, for rupturing such pod and for expelling such fluid therefrom. Typically, the fluid filled pod is mounted within the cassette adjacent a support surface and initially protected by a removable cover plate. After removing the aforementioned cover plate to expose the pod, the cassette is inserted into the apparatus between a pair of resiliently compressible rollers mounted for rotation about parallel axes. One of these rollers exerts a force progressively across the pod during the insertion process whereby the pod is ruptured and the fluid expelled therefrom. The rollers'are compressed by the cassette as the cassette passes therebetween and expand over an end of the cassette when the cassette has been fully inserted into the apparatus to exert a force against the cassette tending to lock it in position. Alternate embodiments of force applying devices are described for ejecting the cassette from the apparatus against the locking force of the rollers.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures APPARATUS FOR HOLDING AND EJECTING A PIIOTOGRAPIIIC CASSETTE This is a division of copending application Ser. No. 838,794,filed July 3, 1969, now issued as US Pat. No. 3,593,643.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of Invention This invention relates to photography and, more particularly, to an improved system for releasably receiving a photographic cassette and for rupturing a pod mounted therein containing processing fluid for photographic material.

2. Description of the Prior Art After motion picture film has been exposed in a camera, it has generally been the practice for the photographer to send the container of exposed film to a processing laboratory. At the laboratory the film is removed from the container and subjected to a series of operations in order to produce visible images from the images recorded thereon during the exposure operations. The fully developed film strip is then rewound onto a reel at the laboratory and returned to the user.

The extended delay normally incurred between the time exposed film is sent to the laboratory and returned plicator, in some the processing fluid is initially stored I in a fragible' container from which it is later released ready for viewing has proved to be a significant inconvenience to the user and a source of great annoyance.

The field of still photography is 'no longer hampered by extensive periods of delay associated with the rocessing of exposed film. The impact on the public of the one-step photographic process employing diffusion transfer techniques is a matter of record and generally well known. The home still photographer can now enjoy the fruits of his efforst in a matter of seconds. This important convenience has been available to the amateur still photographer for many years.

Most recently, important technological advances have made itpossible for the home photographer interested in motion pictures to enjoy this same convenience. Radically different systems have now been developed which permit the photographer himself to quickly and easily process and project a strip of motion picture film shortly after the pictures have been taken. Exemplary of such new and unique systems are those described in US. Pat. Nos. 3,615,127; 3,597,062; 3,537,748; 3,623,417; 3,644,024; 3,600,071; 3,608,455; 3,641,896; 3,627,407; 3,687,051;

3,641,909; 3,595,157; and in copending application Ser. No. 767,609 of Herbert A. Bing, filed Oct. 15, 1968, now abandoned in favor of continuation application Ser. No. 118,963, filed Sept. 25, 1971.

All of these patents and the copending application are assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Each of the systems described in the aforementioned patents and the copending-application most advantageously employ a cassette from which the film need not into a reservoir of the cassette to facilitate the process ing operation, while in still othersthe processing fluid is initially stored in a rupturable pod from which it can be expelled into an applicator at the proper time. Considera'ble funds and effort are currently'being expended to further improve and refine various features of these systems in order to reduce their cost, to further simplify the task of the operator, to improve their reliability, and to improve the quality of the final product. The present invention is directed to an improved system for receiving a cassette of the type in which the processing fluid is intially contained in a pod, for rupturing that pod, for expelling the processing fluid from that pod and for subsequently ejecting the cassette. In its preferred embodiment, the system of this invention is adapted to facilitate the combined functions of processing and projecting the strip of motion picturefilm housed in the cassette, the overall system being adapted for operation by the photographer himself.

One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide an improved system for rupturing a fluid containing pod.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide an improved system for receiving a motion picture film handling cassette containing a rupturable pod of pro cessing fluid and for automatically rupturing that pod and expelling the fluid therefrom in the process of receiving such cassette.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved system for receiving a film handling cassette, for locking that cassette into position within the receiving means and for selectively ejecting the cassette from the receiving means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a system for receiving a film handling cassette containing a rupturable pod of processing fluid and in which a force applying member serves the dual function of expelling the fluid from the pod during the insertion process and of locking the cassette in position when the cassette has been fully inserted into the receiving means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of the preferred iembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers have been employed in the different figures to denote the same parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cutaway plan view of a compact multi-pui'pose motion picture.- film handling cassette of a type with which the present invention is adapted to be employed;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cassette illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary diagrammatic vertical sectional view of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the cassette shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 inserted 2 inserted into the cassette receiving means of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus of' this invention taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FlG. 6 ,is a view similar to that of FlG. 3 illustrating an alternate embodiment of the means employedin the apparatus of this invention for selectively ejecting the cassette.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ln its illustrated preferred embodiments, the apparatus of this invention is adapted to operate with compact multi-purpose film handling cassettes to facilitate the processing of the photographic material contained therein and the subsequent projection of the visible images produced during the processing operation. Each such cassette includes a rupturable processing fluid containing pod adapted to have an externally mounted force applying member pressed thereagainst. Such cassette also houses an applicator in communication with the rupturable pod so that fluid expelled from the pod is fed thereto. Means within the cassette are adapted to be driven by externally mounted drive means to progressively advance the film strip within the cassette across the applicator whereby a coating of processing fluid is applied along the length of the film strip.

The processing unit, which as indicated may also serve as a projection unit, includes a receiving chamber into which the cassette may be inserted. A pair of resiliently compressible rollers are mounted on fixed parallel axes of rotation adjacent the entrance to the receiving chamber. As the cassette is introduced into that chamber, it is pressed between these two rollers so as to effect a compression of the materials from which they are formed. These rollers are further positioned so that during the insertion process one of them contacts the rupturable pod and exerts a force progressively across its entire length, while the other acts to support the cassette against the force exerted thereon by the pod rupturing roller. Thus, in the course of the insertion process, these rollers effect a rupturing of the cassettes pod and cause the fluid contained therein to be expelled therefrom. The receiving chamber further includes a support surface against which the cassette is seated when fully inserted thereinto. The rollers are positioned a sufficient distance above that support surface so as to expand over the end of the cassette furtherest removed therefrom when the cassette is seated against that surface. Thus, they exert a force against the cassette firmly pressing the cassette against that surface. The processor also includes a pair of drive shafts adapted to engage the film advancing means of the eassette once the cassette has been inserted thereinto.

A force applying member is mounted within the processing unit so as to selectively exert a force against the cassette to effect an ejection of the cassette from the processing unit against the force exerted thereon by the compressible rollers. Two preferred embodiments of the ejection means are described. One comprises a pivotably mounted lever arm while the other comprises a motor driven rack and pinion mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated as facilitating the application of a compatible processing fluid to afilm structure which comprises both a photosensitive image-recording layer and an image-receiving layer in which a visible image may be formed by image-forming substances transferred by diffusion from the photosensitive layer without necessitating the subsequent removal of the processed photosensitive layer. This highly desirable type of film structure is made possible by a developed negative image having low covering power.

In typical silver halide diffusion transfer-reversal processes for the production of black-and-white images, a silver halide developer and a silver halide solventare applied in an aqueous alkaline solution to a photoexposed silver halide stratum or emulsion where they develop exposed silver halide to silver and react with unreduced silver halide to form a soluble silver complex. This complex, in order to form a positive print, is transferred and reduced to silver on a silver-receptive stratum upon which the silver halide stratum has been superposed. It has generally been the practice, in the completion of this process, to separate. the silverreceptive and silver halide strata in order to render the positive image visible, particularly when it is to be viewed in transmitted light.

However, as'indicated above, the positive print may be rendered visible without separation of thejsilver halide and silver receptive strata. For examplethe silver receptive stratum may be so constituted as to provide an unusually vigorous silverprecipitatingenvironment which causes the silver deposited upon it, in comparision with silver developd in the silver halidejstratum, to possess very high covering power, i.e., opacity for a given mass of reduced silver. If the silver halide is in such a concentration as to give rise only whenfully developed to a predetermined low maximum density, and

if the silver complex is reduced to silver in a vigorous silver precipitating environement, the re sultiiig negative and positive images in superposition provide a composite that presents a good image for'projection purposes as long as the images are carriedon a lighttransmitting support. Since the silver halide stratum and the silver receptive stratum need not be separated, a simplification of the overall silver halide diffusion transfer-reversal process is achieved. I

A composite film assembly of this type as well as processing compositions for producing a stable black-andwhite image which can be viewed by transmitted light without the necesstiy of removing the processed negative image-containing photosensitive layer is shown in prior US. Pat. No. 2,861,885 of Edwin H. Land which issued on Nov. 25, 1958. Other composite film assemblies capable of producing photographic records which can be exhibited in full color without the necessity of removing the processed photosensitive layer are shown in prior U.S. Pats. of Edin l-l. Land Nos. 2,726,154 issued Dec. 6, 1955 and 2,944,894 issued July 12, 1960. All of these prior patents are assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

However, it should be noted that the present invention is not directed to the chemistry by which visible images are formed in an exposed photosensitive material and/or formed in an image receiving stratum associated therewith. While an illustrated preferred embodiment of this invention is shown efiecting theapplication of a compatible processing fluid to a film structure not requiring the removal of the photosensitive layer after visible image formation is completed, the invention itself is also applicable for use with other types of processing fluids and film structures.

The illustrated'preferred embodiments of this invention may best be understood by first referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, which illustrate a cassette typical of the type with whichthe present invention is intended to operate. As shown therein, a compact multipurpose film handling cassette is basically constituted by a pair of housing members 11 and 12 connected together to form an enclosed opaque housing. The housing member 12 is provided with a recessed portion 13 consisting of a support surface 14 disposed between a pair of opposed walls 16 and 18. Formed in respective opposed walls 16 and 18 are elongated parallel grooves 20 (see FIG. 4) which are adapted to slidably receive a removable cover plate 22. Thus, the support'surface 14, the opposed walls 16 and 18 and the removable cover plate 22 in combination define an en.- clos'ed section 24 separated from a main section 26 of the cassette l0. 8

Cut-out portions of the housing members 11 and 12 define an opening 28 through which image carrying light rays may enter and/or leave the cassette 10 and, further, through whichan aperture plateof a camera or of a projector may be introduced into the cassette. In this embodiment, the cassette 10 is relatively flat and generally rectangular parallelepiped in configuration. A supply spool 30 and a takeup spool 32 are coplanarly mounted withinsection 26 of the cassette 10 for rotationabout parallel axes. A strip of unexposed photographic material. 34, of the type previously discussedand provided with perforations 36 and leaders affixed to the supply spool 30 and to the takeup spool 32, is initially substantially entirely coiled around the supply spool. Passing from the supply spool 30 to the takeup spool 32, the strip of photographic material 34 sequentially travels around idlers 38, 40, 42,44 and 46. Advantageously, the ilders 42 and 44 are positioned in opposite corners or extremities of the cassette 10 on the same side of the supply spool 30 and the takeup spool 32. Additionally, the idler is advantageously positioned in the corner of the cassette 10 disposed on the'other side of the supply spool 30 from the takeup spool 32 and on the opposite side of those "spools from the idlers 42 and 44. I

A rupturablepod 48 is positioned in'the section 24 of the cassette 10 adjacent the support surface 14. The nature of this pod and the means by which it is ruptured will be described in considerable detail hereinafter.

However, at this point it should be noted that this pod 48 includes a-weakened seal 50 connected to a fluid,

feeding device 52 provided with anexit orifice 54. This orifice 54 in turn communicates through an opening 56 in the housing member l2 'with a fluid reservoir chamber 58 of a dispensing container 60. Extending from the dispensing container 60 is a rectangular projection 62 which defines an orifice through which processing fluid withinthe reservoir chamber 58 may be expressed from the dispensing container. One edge of the end of the projection 62 is formed with a taper 64, the purpose of circular aperture 78 in the actuator is positioned in alignment with an elongated slot 79 passingthrough the cassettes wall 74 in order that an externally mounted force applying member may be received thereinto for purposes of effecting an upward displacement of the actuator along the guide tracks 66fand '68 from its position as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. One end of a strip of flexible material 80 is spring mounted to the structure of the cassette 10 while its other end is connected to the tang 76. This strip of flexible material 80 is disposed over the end of the rectangular projection 62 and includes an opening positioned to be out of alignment with the orifice of that projection when disposed in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 and so as to be in alignment with that orifice when the actuator 70 is displaced it its upwardmost position alongthe guide tracks 66 and 68.

Additionally, a support member 82 is pivotably connected between the ends of a uniquely configured U- shaped spring 84 mounted on the dispensing container 60. It will be noted that this U-shaped spring 84- includes an offset 86 adapted to be engaged by the tang 76 when in its position as'shown in FIG. 1.

Intermediate the idlers 40 and 42, the strip of photographic material 34 is disposed between and in spaced apart relationship to the strip of flexible material 80 and the support member 82. However, it will be appreciated that when the actuator 70 is displaced upwardly, the tang 76 is removed from contact with the offset 8.6 in the spring 84 thereby permitting the suppottmember 82 toslidably engage the strip of photographic material 34 against that section of the strip of flexible material 80 disposed across the projection 62. Thus, when the actuator 70 is in its position as shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing container 60 is sealed by the strip of flexible material 80 and the strip of photographic material 34 may be transported between and out of contact with that strip of flexible material and the support member 82. Also, whenever the actuator 70 is moved upwardly along the guide tracks 66 and 68, the strip of flexible material 80 is displaced into an unsealing relationship with the dispensing container 60 and the support member 82 slidably engages the strip. of photographic material 34 against the strip of flexible material.

The rupturable pod 48 initially contains a quantity of processing fluid suitable toform visible images from the, images recorded on the strip of photographic material 34 during exposure operations. Typically; the walls of the rupturable pod 48 consist'of an outer layer of pouch or glassine paper, an intermediate layer of lead foil and an inner layer of polyvinylchloride material. The polyvinylchloride layers are bonded together adjacent their edge portions to. effect the sealing of the fluid filled cavity with the seal 50being substantially weaker than the seals around the other edges of the pod 48. Typically, the walls of the fluid feeding deviceSZ are formed of an outer layer of pouch or glassinefpaper bonded to an inner layer of polyethylene material. Again the polyethylene material layers may be bonded together where appropriate and also bonded to the outer layer of the walls of the pod 48 to connect the fluid feeding device to the pod. Preferably, the outside surface of the assembly comprising the pod 48' and the fluid feeding device 52 adjacent the support surface 14 is adhered thereto by any suitable; means to facilitate fixedly positioning that assembly within the cassettes enclosed section 24.

It shouldbe noted that the capacity of the reservoir chamber 58 of the dispensing container 60 should be equivalent to or greater than that of the rupturable pod 48. For instance, approximately 2 cc. of processing fluid is sufficientto treat 50 feet of Super-8 format film. Under such conditions, the pod 48 will have a capacity of 2 cc. and the capacity of the dispensing container's reservoir chamber 58 will be on the order of 2 to 2% cc. It will be appreciated that the application of a compressive force progressively along the length of the pod 48 toward its weakened seal 50 and across the fluid feeding device 52 will first effect a rupturing of the pod along the seal 50 and then cause the processing fluid initially stored therein to be expelled therefrom into the dispensing container's reservoir chamber 58.

Mounted between the housing member 12 and the wall 74 of the housing member 11 is a light sealing arcuate member 87, one end of which is positioned against the dispensing container 60. The other end of the member 87 is connected toone end of a second light sealing arcuate member I 88 which extends to within the vicinity of the idler 44. These arcuate members.87 and 88, in combination with the dispensing container 60, serve to effectively divide the section 26 of the cassette into a first compartment 90 sealed in a light tight manner from a second compartment 92. Additionally, it will be noted that in the illustrated embodiment of the cassette, the supply spool 30,'the light sealing arcuate member 87 and a wall 94 of the dispensing container 60 share a common axis. Thus, the arcuate member 87 and the wall 94 further serve to control the disposition of that portion of the strip of photographic material 34 coiled around the supply spool 30 within the cassette 10. Similarly, the takeup spool 32 and the light sealing arcuate member 88 share a common axis and, consequently, the arcuate member 88 serves to control the disposition of the portion of the strip of photographic material 34 coiled around the takeup spool with the cassette l0.

It should also be noted at this point that the wall 74 of the cassette 10 is provided with an opening 96 communicating with the aforementioned opening 28 of the cassette. As will subsequently become more apparent, this opening 96 permits light rays from an external light source to be introduced into the cassette 10 for film projection purposes.

As shown in FIG. 1, a resilient member 98 is connected to the inside face of the wall 74 by any suitable means, such as rivets 100, and extends over and in spaced relationship to the end surfaces 102 and 104 of the idlers 44 and 46, respectively. Provided in the wall 74 is an aperture 106 disposed over the resilient member 98 whereby an external force applying member may be selectively introduced into the cassette 10 to urge the resilient member's end portions 108 and 110 into frictional engagement with the idlers 44 and 46, respectively, to restrain further rotational movement of those idlers. In order to effectively light seal the interior of the cassette 10, a ring 12 mounted on,the resilient member 98 is coaxially disposed with respect to the aperture 106 and adapted to seat in an annular recess 114 of the wall 74.

Mounted within compartment 92 of the cassette l0 so as to be in alignment with the opening 28 is a pressure plate assembly 116 in which is mounted a light reflecting element 118. It will be noted that this light reflecting element 118 is disposed in operable relationship to both the opening 28and the opening 96 of the cassette 10. In the illustratedembodiment of the eassette, the light reflecting element 118 is prismatic in nature and includes a concave light receiving transparent face 120 and a flat reflecting surface 122 which reflects light received into the element through the light receiving face 120 outwardly thereof through a convex transparent face 124.

The pressure plate assembly 116 includes a leaf spring 126 which seats against a boss 128 formed integrally with the housing member 12 to continually urge the pressure plate assembly toward the cassettes opening 28. The pressure plate assembly 116 is mounted within the cassette 10 so that it maybe displaced inwardly of the cassette from the opening 28 against the force of the spring 126 when the aperture plate of a camera or a projector is positioned in operative relationship therewith. Forming part of the pressure plate assembly 116 is a mounting bracket 130 which serves to fixedly position the light reflecting element 118 with respect to the pressure plate assembly and, more particularly, with respect to an aperture 132 of that assemy- The spools 30 and 32 are respectively provided with fluted recesses 134 and 136 which are adapted'to receive externally mounted drive means through apertures 138 and 140 appropriately provided through the cassette 's wall 74. Thus, the cassette 10 includes means for reversably transporting the strip of photographic material 34 between the supply spool 30 and the takeup spool 32 across the dispensing containers projection 62 and the pressure plate assembly 116. The cassettes opening 28 constitutes a film gate adapted to serve as an exposure station during a first pass of the photosensitivefilm strip 34 across the pressure plate assembly 116 and as a projection station during subsequent operations in which the film strip, in a fully processed condition, is advanced from the supply spool 3 to the takeup spool 32. v

Idler 42, around which the film strip 34 passes on its way from the supply spool 30 to the pressureplate assembly 116, may, if desired, be mounted on a movable post spring biased towardthe comer which it'occupies in the housing of the cassette 10 and capable of being moved resiliently inward away from that corner. Also, idler 44 may be spring biased toward the comer which it occupies in the housing in the cassette l0 and capable of being moved resiliently inward away from that corner. This represents one way to minimize strain exerted on the film strip 34 by the conventional intermittent film advancement structure during these exposure and projection operations. It will be appreciated that the housing members 11 and 12, as well as elements associated therewith, e.g., the light sealing members 87 and 88, and the boss 128 may, for example, be formed from a suitable thermoplastic resin such asan acrylic or a polystyrene, in an inexpensiveinjection molding process. Similarly, the dispensing container 60, the idlers 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 and the cover plate 22 may be formed by injection molding processes employing the same types of material. 1

While the various details of the cassette 10 do not constitute part of the present invention, they have been illustrated and briefly described for purposes of imparting a complete understanding of the present invention. Obviously, certain of these features may readily take other forms than that described. Some of the features containing pod of such cassettes, for expelling .the fluid.

intially stored therein into the cassettes'applicatorsys tem and for effecting thecoating of the cassettesfilm:

strip withsuch fluid. Preferably, the features. of. the

present invention are incorporated into a unit whichnot only facilitates the processingof the cassettes filmstrip but which also subsequently facilitates the projection, for viewing purposes, of the visibleiimagesformed.

on the film strip duringthe processing operation.

Referring now to FIGS. 3,4" and 5' of'thedrawings;

a processor-projector unit 142 is'illustrated thatcimcludes a cassette receiving chamber l44-sAftcr the strip of .photographic material .341 has beenexposed. with; the: cassette .10 mounted in an appropriate camera.(not.

shown) in its travel from the supply spool 30 onto the. takeup spool 32 andbefore insertingthe cassette into the processor-projector unit 142, the cassettes cover plate 22- is'removed. lnsertion of'th'e cassette l'into the receiving chamber 144 is effected through. a slot 146 provided in thetoppanel 148 of that unit and with the side of the cassette containingthe opening 28 first passing throughthat'slot.

The cassettes receiving chamber 144 is formed of interconnected support plates 150, 152, 154, 156 and 158. A' plurality of elongated standoffs 160, mounted on the aforementioned support plates and extending. from those plates interiorly of the cassette receiving chamber 144, serve to first guide the cassette 10into that chamber and, once the cassette has been fullyinserted thereinto, to support and align the cassette. Typv ically, the supportplates 150, 152,154, 156 and 158 are formed from a material such asstainless steel while the elongated standoffs 160 are formed from a polymeric material such aspolytetrafluoroethylene. When fully inserted into the receiving chamber 144 the eassette 10 is seated against the elongated standoffs 160 mounted from the support plate 158. Preferably, the cassette receiving chamber 144' is oriented within the processor-projector unit 142 so that the cassette 10 is inserted vertically downward thereinto (as viewed in FIGS. 3, 4 and through the slot 146.

Extending inwardly from the support plate 152 is a bracket 162 which rotatably supports a rollerl64, Similarly, a bracket 166 extends inwardly of the cassette receiving chamber 144 from the support plate 150 to rotatably support a roller 168. These rollers 164 and 168 are formed of a resiliently compressible material such as a hard rubber and are spaced apart on parallel axes of rotation so that their adjacent peripheral surfaces are initially positioned slightly closer together than the width of the cassette 10.'More specifically, their diameters are such, and their axes of rotation are spaced apart so, that the roller 164" firmly presses against the cassettes rupturable pod 48 asthe cassette is inserted into the receiving chamber 144, while the roller 168 supports the cassette against the force exerted thereon'by the roller 164. In this respect, the roller 164 is positioned to be in alignment with the recessed portion l3of the cassettes housingmemberlZ as thecassette. is inserted into thepreceiving; chamber 144 and, further, is of aqlengthslightlylessthan;thedistance between the opposed .walls .l6-and;l8=,of that portion of the cassette. It will be, recognizedthat, during this insertion process, the, cassette; l0.vexerts a,.,forc.e against the rollers 164 and-l68v causing; them to be, somewhat compressed.

These rollers l64-and 168 arealsopositionedaparefully'predetermined distance above the: support plate 158wso that. when; the cassette .10Lis seated againstthe. elongatedzstandoffs 160 mountedonathat support plate, a portionof those. rollers. extend above-the; oppositeiend of the. cassette. In :thisamanner, .the:.ro,llers= 164sand 16.8. will. expand. over: that'end. of' the cassette; 10.. to firmly, press; the; cassette. against the. elongatedistandoffs 1.60

onzthesupport plate 158.- As the cassette-,loais partially, insertedrintoz'the.receivingchamber.144,,theroller 164. initially contacts. theend of they rupturable. [3061148111111- thermost disposed'from. itsweakened. portion;50., In; the course: of completing thev insertion process, that" roller l64 -progressively applies aforce. against the pod.48. t0.- wardits-weakened portion 50-and.acrossthe fluid. feeding;device 52. Thus, asthecassette is insertedintothe receiving chamber 144, the. roller 16.4. automatically effects a..rupturingof the pod.48; and causes. the: pr0- cessing fluid initially: stored; therein to be expelled therefrom into the fluid reservoir chamber- 58,0f. the,

dispensing container Further, the, nature ofthese rollers 164 and 168- and their arrangement within the processor-projector unit 142 serveto automatically effect a locking" of thecassette 10. in position. when fully insertedv into. the receiving chamber 144. As depictedin FIG. 3, the pods weakened seal 50 has been ruptured, the processsing fluid expelled. from between the opposed walls of that pod 48 through, the fluid feed.- ing. device 52 into the dispensing containers reservoir chamber 58 and the cassette 10-is-locked inposition within the receiving chamber 144 of the processorprojectorunit 142 by the rollers. 164 and 168.

Slidably mounted within the processor-projector unit 142 are a pair of drive shafts'l86 and 188. After the cassette 10 has been fully inserted into the receiving chamber 144 of the processor-projector unit 142, these drive shafts 186 and 188 may be selectively displaced (means not shown) into engagement with the fluted recesses' 134 and 136, respectively, of the cassettes supply spool 30 and takeup spool 32. These drive shafts 186 and 188 may then be alternately energized .by the motor (not shown) of the processor-projector unit 142 to effect selective reversible transport of the strip of photographic material 34 within the cassette 10 between the supply spool 30 andlthetakeup spool 32. The processor-projector unit 142 also includes a displaceably mounted force applying member (not shown) which may be selectively introduced through the slot 79 in the cassettes wall 74 once the cassette. is fully inserted into the receiving chamber 144 to effect selective reversible displacement of the actuator al0ng processor-projector unit 142. The end 174 of this arm 170 extends exteriorly of the processor-projector unit 142 through an opening 182 appropriately provided in its side panel 184. Thus, whenever the cassette is positioned within the receiving chamber 144, an operator may depress the end 174 of the arm 170 downwardly from its position illustrated in FIG. 6 to effect an ejection of the cassette 10 from the receiving chamber against the locking force exerted thereon by the rollers 164 and 168. The lowermost position to which the operator may depress the end 174 of the arm 170 is shown in phantom in FIG. 6. Similarly, the position of the other end 176 of that arm 170 and the position of the cassette 10 at such time are also shown in phantom in that figure of the drawings. In this connection, the term ejecting has been employed here to cover movement of the cassette 10 from its position wherein it is locked within the processor-projector unit 142 and relatively inaccessible to the operator to a position wherein it may be readily manually removed therefrom by the operator. However, it is also possible to design the ejection means so that it actually propels the eassette 10 from the unit 142. Consequently, this term ejecting is intended broadly to cover either or both of these situations.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT To summarize the operation of the preferred embodiment of this invention, the cassette 10 is initially furnished with substantially all of the film strip 34 in an unexposed condition coiled on the supply spool 30, with the processing fluid retained in the rupturable pod 48 and withthe actuator 70 disposed in the position shown in FIG. 1. For exposure purposes, the cassette 10 is mounted in an appropriate camera (not shown) with the drive means of the camera engaging the recess 136 of the takeup spool 32 through a friction clutching arrangement as is conventional. While the particular camera employed does not form part of the present invention, it may advantageously take the form of that described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,071. It will be noted that the camera described in that application includes a door mounted pm which automatically enters the cassette 10 through its aperture 106 to snub the idlers 44 and 46 whenever the cassette is mounted therein. The aperture plate of the camera, which may also take a conventional form, operably engages the cassettes pressure plate assembly 1 16 to position the section of the film strip 34 disposed thereacross in the proper focal plane. Also, a conventional intermittent film advancement mechanism of the camera engages the perforations 36 of the film strip 34 to effect proper step advancement of the film strip along the pressure plate assembly 116. In this manner, the operator can selectively record images on the photose nsitive film strip 34 as it traverses the cassettes opening 28 on its way from the supply spool 30 to the takeup spool 32. In the embodiment illustrated, the photosensitive surface of the film strip 34 faces inwardly of the cassette 10 such that exposure of the photosensitive emulsion is effected through the transparent film base. After the film strip 34 has been completely exposed, the cassette 10 can be quickly removed from the camera and replaced, when desired, by an identical cassette containing unexposed film.

When convenient, the film processing operation can be initiated by first removing the cassettes cover plate 22 and inserting the cassette into the receiving chamber 144 of the processor-projector unit 142 intermediate the resiliently compressible rollers 164 and 168. During this insertion process, the fluid containing pod 48 is automatically ruptured and the fluid initially stored therein expelled therefrom through the fluid feeding device 52 into the reservoir chamber 58 of the dispensing container 60. The aforementioned force applying member (not shown) is introduced into the eassette through its elongated slot 79 to effect a displacement of the strip of flexible material 80 from its sealing relationship over the dispensing containers projection 62 into an unsealing relationship therewith and to cause the support plate 82 to slidably engage the film strip 34 against that section of the strip of flexible material disposed over the projection 62. By now turning an appropriate switch located on the control panel (not shown) of the processor-projector unit 142, the exposed strip of material is returned from the takeup spool 32 to the supply spool 30. During this sequence, the exposed photographic film strip 34 passes across the dispensing containers projection 62 and draws processing fluid from the dispensing container 60 to form a uniform fluid coating along its entire length. In this respect, it will be noted that, with the cassette 10 inserted into the unit 142, the projection 62 is disposed at the lowermost point of the dispensing container 60 so that the force of gravity causes the processing fluid to be continually fed through the projection 62 from the reservoir chamber 58. The thickness of the strip of flexible material 80 is determinative of the thickness of the fluid coating applied to the film strip 34 and the taper 64 provides a relatively sharp doctor blade for applying that coating to the film strip.

The motor of the processor-projector unit 142 is automatically de-energized by conventional means (not shown) as soon as the entire length 9f exposed film strip 34 has been treated with processing gluid. At this time, the force applying member of the processorprojector unit 142 engaging the cassettes actuator should be withdrawn from the cassette to permit the actuator to return to its original position wherein the orifice through the dispensing containers projection 62 is sealed by the strip of flexible material and wherein the film strip 34 is permitted to return to its original position out of contact with both the strip of .fiexible material and the support plate 82. Additionally, the operator should now effect a snubbing of the cassette s idlers 44 and 46. This may be accomplished by displacing a pin (not shown) mounted in the processor-projector unit 142 adjacent the cassettes aperture 106' into engagement with the cassettes resilient member 98.

The processor-projector unit 142 also includes other conventional means not illustrated in the drawings associated with the projection of the visible images recorded on the fully processed film strip 34. These include an aperture plate and an intermittent film advancement mechanism positioned in operable relationship to the cas settes pressure plate assembly 116 through the cassette's opening 28 and a light source positioned in operable relationship to the cassettes opening 96. Additionally, such other conventional means include a shutter mechanism and a lens system. By now turning another switch (not shown)located on the control panel of the processor-projector unit 142, that units light source and motor are simultaneouslyenergized, in this instance the motor driving both the aforementioned intermittent film advancement mechanism of the unit 142 and the cassettes takeup spool 32 through the drive shaft 188. As the now fully processed film strip 34 is once again drawn across the cassettes opening 28 onto the takeup spool 32, visible images through the aperture 132 in the pressure plate assembly 116 and the sections of the film strip 34 intermittently positioned thereover, outwardly of the cassette through.

its opening 28. Again, conventional means (not shown) automatically de-energize the light source and motor of the pressor-projector unit 142 once the visible images on the entire processed film strip 34 have been projected.

During these operations the cassette is locked in the receiving chamber 144 of the processorprojector unit 142 by the force exerted thereagainst by the rollers 164 and 168, which force firmly seats the cassette against the elongated standoffs 160. mounted to thesupport plate 158." j

Preferably, the film strip. 34 is returned from the takeup spool 32 to the supplyspool30 before removing the cassette) from the processor projector unit 142.

Removal of the cassette 10 from that unit 142 is effected by the operators displacing the end 174 of the arm 170 from its original position as shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings to its position shown therein in phantom. The cassette 10 is stored in this condition until it is again desired to view the processed film strip 34 retained therein.

DESCRIPTION OF AN ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT this respect, the member 192 is slidably disposed between a pair of channels 194 mounted on a portion-196 of the support plate 150. A pinion 198 connected tov a motor 200 extends through an opening in the support plate 150' to engage a rack 202.formed on a face of the displaceably mounted member 192. Operation of the motor 200 iscontrolled by a switch mounted on the control panel (not shown) of the processor-projector unit 142'. It will be appreciated that the motor may be selectively energized to effect reversable displacement of the member 192 between its initial position shown receiving chamber144 of the processor-projector. unit 142', the motor 200fmay be. energized to effect an ejection. of the cassette 10 fromtheprocessor-projector unit against, the force exerted thereon by the resiliently compressible rollers 164' and 168'. Those familiar with the motion picture arts will readily appreciate the novel and highly. unique advantages of this invention. Most importantly,.efficient and extremely simple means are. provided for receiving a film handling cassette containing a rupturablepod of processing fluid, for locking such cassette in position when fully inserted intosuch receivingmeans, for rupturing such pod and expelling such fluid therefrom, and for subsequently effecting the ejection of suchcassette from such receiving means.

The termprojector" is used herein in a comprehensive sense, i.e., to broadly refer to those systems wherein the visible imageslrecordedona sheet of material are re-imaged for viewing purposes and is not re-' stricted to only those systemsin which the recorded visible images are projected onto a screen-of one type or another.

This invention may be practiced or embodiedin still other ways without departingfromthe spiritor essential character thereof. The preferred. embodimentsdescribed herein are therefore illustrative andnot-restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims and all variationsv which, come within the meaning -of theclaims areintended to betembraced therein.

I claim: j

1. Photographic apparatus. useful in, operations. involving a film handling cassette including a strip of photographic material and means adapted to be driven by external drive means for advancing such strip of photographic material within such cassette, comprising: first means for receiving such cassette; second means for locking such cassette in position when fully inserted into said'first means, saidsecond means including at least one rotatably mounted resiliently compressible roller positioned to be engaged and compressed .by such cassette in the process of inserting such cassette into said first means and further positioned so that it subsequently expands over a portion of such'cassette when such cassette is fully inserted into. said first means to exert a force against suchcassette tending to lock such cassette in such position; third means for selectively driving such advancing means of such cassette; and. I fourth means for selectively ejecting such cassette from said apparatus against said force exerted thereon by said resiliently compressibleroller. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fourthv means includes a pivotably mounted lever am, one end of said. armv adapted to. be selectively displaced: from a first to a second. position and: the, other'end thereof adapted to contact such cassette. and. eject such cassette from said apparatus assaid one end. isdisplaced from its said first position'into, its said. second. position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said: fourth means includes a substantially rigid member adapted; to be displaced from a first position, wherein it does not tend to eject such cassette from said apparatus, into. a second position, said member exerting a force'on such cassette during said displacement thereof effecting an ejection of such cassette from said apparatus, a raclr on 15 said rigid member, a pinion engaging said rack and a motorconnected to said pinion, whereby said pinion may be selectively driven by said motor to effect said displacement of said rigid member.

4. Photographic apparatus useful in operations involving a film handling cassette including a strip of photographic material and means adapted to be driven by external drive means for advancing such strip of photographic material within such cassette, comprising:

first means for receiving such cassette;

second means for locking such cassette in position when fully inserted into said first means, said second means including a pair of spaced apart resiliently compressible members positioned to. be disposed on opposite sides of such cassette when such cassette is inserted into said first means to be engaged and compressed by such cassette in the process of inserting such cassette into said first means and further positioned so that they subsequently expand when such cassette is fully inserted into said first means to exert a force against such cassette tending to lock such cassette in such position; third means for selectively driving such advancing means of such cassette; and fourth means for selectively ejecting such cassette from said apparatus against said force exerted thereon by said resiliently compressible member.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein at least one of said resiliently compressible members comprises a roller.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first means includes a support against which such cassette seats when fully inserted thereinto and said roller is positioned to press against progressive sections of such cassette as such cassette is inserted into said receiving means whereby at least the peripheral edge portion of said roller is compressed and extends a sufficient distance beyond an end of such cassette spaced from the portion thereof seated against such support when such cassette is fully inserted into said apparatus so that said edge portion expands in a direction toward such cassette over such cassette tofirmly urge such cassette against said support. I

7. The'apparatus of claim 4 wherein said resiliently compressible members comprise a pair of rollers.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said receiving means includes a support against which such cassette seats when fully inserted into said first means and said rollers are positioned so that both of their edge portions are compressed by such cassette as such cassette is in-' serted into said receiving means and extends a sufficient distance beyond an end of such cassette spaced from the portion thereof seated against such support when such cassette is fully inserted into said apparatus so that said edge portions expand in a direction toward such cassette over such cassette to firmly urge such cassette against said support.

- 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first means comprises a slot through which such cassette is inserted into said apparatus and said rollers are disposed adjacent opposite sides of said slot in the immediate vicinity of said slot.

10. Photographic apparatus useful in operations involving a film handling cassette including a strip of photographic material and means adapted to be driven by external drive means for advancing such strip of photographic material withinsuch. cassette, comprising:

a housing having a slot therein through which such cassette may be inserted into saidapparatus;

first means for receiving such cassette, said first means including a support spaced a predetermined distance inwardly of said housing from said slot and against which such cassette seats when fully inserted into said first means;

second means for locking such cassette in position when fully inserted into said first means, said second means including at least one resiliently compressible member positioned to be engaged and v compressed by such cassette in the process of inserting such cassette into said first means and further positioned so that it subsequently expands over a portion of such cassette when said cassette is fully inserted into saidfirst means to exert a force against such cassette urging such cassette against saidsupport to lock such cassette in said apparatus;

third means for selectively driving such advancing means of such cassette; and

fourth means for selectively ejecting such cassette from said apparatus against said force exerted thereon by said resiliently compressible member. '3 I 

1. Photographic apparatus useful in operations involving a film handling cassette including a strip of photographic material and means adapted to be driven by external drive means for advancing such strip of photographic material within such cassette, comprising: first means for receiving such cassette; second means for locking such cassette in position when fully inserted into said first means, said second means including at least one rotatably mounted resiliently compressible roller positioned to be engaged and compressed by such cassette in the process of inserting such cassette into said first means and further positioned so that it subsequently expands over a portion of such cassette when such cassette is fully inserted into said first means to exert a force against such cassette tending to lock such cassette in such position; third means for selectively driving such advancing means of such cassette; and fourth means for selectively ejecting such cassette from said apparatus against said force exerted thereon by said resiliently compressible roller.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fourth means includes a pivotably mounted lever arm, one end of said arm adapted to be selectively displaced from a first to a second position and the other end thereof adapted to contact such cassette and eject such cassette from said apparatus as said one end is displaced from its said first position into its said second position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fourth means includes a substantially rigid member adapted to be displaced from a first position, wherein it does not tend to eject such cassette from said apparatus, into a second position, said member exerting a force on such cassette during said displacement thereof effecting an ejection of such cassette from said apparatus, a rack on said rigid member, a pinion engaging said rack and a motor connected to said pinion, whereby said pinion may be selectively driven by said motor to effect said displacement of said rigid member.
 4. Photographic apparatus useful in operations involving a film handling cassette including a strip of photographic material and means adapted to be driven by external drive means for advancing such strip of photographic material within such cassette, comprising: first means for receiving such cassette; second means for locking such cassette in position when fully inserted into said first means, said second means including a pair of spaced apart resiliently compressible members positioned to be disposed on opposite sides of such cassette when such cassette is inserted into said first means to be engaged and compressed by such cassette in the process of inserting such cassette into said first means and further positioned so that they subsequently expand when such cassette is fully inserted into said first means to exert a force against such cassette tending to lock such cassette in such position; third means for selectively driving such advancing means of such cassette; and fourth means for selectively ejecting such cassette from said apparatus against said force exerted thereon by said resiliently compressible member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein at least one of said resiliently compressible membErs comprises a roller.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said first means includes a support against which such cassette seats when fully inserted thereinto and said roller is positioned to press against progressive sections of such cassette as such cassette is inserted into said receiving means whereby at least the peripheral edge portion of said roller is compressed and extends a sufficient distance beyond an end of such cassette spaced from the portion thereof seated against such support when such cassette is fully inserted into said apparatus so that said edge portion expands in a direction toward such cassette over such cassette to firmly urge such cassette against said support.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said resiliently compressible members comprise a pair of rollers.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said receiving means includes a support against which such cassette seats when fully inserted into said first means and said rollers are positioned so that both of their edge portions are compressed by such cassette as such cassette is inserted into said receiving means and extends a sufficient distance beyond an end of such cassette spaced from the portion thereof seated against such support when such cassette is fully inserted into said apparatus so that said edge portions expand in a direction toward such cassette over such cassette to firmly urge such cassette against said support.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said first means comprises a slot through which such cassette is inserted into said apparatus and said rollers are disposed adjacent opposite sides of said slot in the immediate vicinity of said slot.
 10. Photographic apparatus useful in operations involving a film handling cassette including a strip of photographic material and means adapted to be driven by external drive means for advancing such strip of photographic material within such cassette, comprising: a housing having a slot therein through which such cassette may be inserted into said apparatus; first means for receiving such cassette, said first means including a support spaced a predetermined distance inwardly of said housing from said slot and against which such cassette seats when fully inserted into said first means; second means for locking such cassette in position when fully inserted into said first means, said second means including at least one resiliently compressible member positioned to be engaged and compressed by such cassette in the process of inserting such cassette into said first means and further positioned so that it subsequently expands over a portion of such cassette when said cassette is fully inserted into said first means to exert a force against such cassette urging such cassette against said support to lock such cassette in said apparatus; third means for selectively driving such advancing means of such cassette; and fourth means for selectively ejecting such cassette from said apparatus against said force exerted thereon by said resiliently compressible member. 